Pubdate: Sat, 21 Nov 2009
Source: Craig Daily Press, The (CO)
Copyright: 2009 The Craig Daily Press
Contact: http://www.craigdailypress.com/site/feedback
Website: http://www.craigdailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2334
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

RED HERRINGS

Editor's note: Craig City Attorney Kenny Wohl did not  discuss this
editorial with the board because of a  conflict of interest.

For a while, it seemed the local medical marijuana  issue would come
and go without much attention.

That changed Nov. 10, the most recent Craig City  Council meeting,
when several residents made it clear  they did not want marijuana use
condoned in town.

Some said they opposed any use, even out of medical  necessity. Others
told the council that law enforcement  would not be able to contain
marijuana's influence once  it is allowed legally.

People were passionate, emotional and angry.

They have a right to be. Their opinions and values  should be
considered very carefully by the city's  elected officials, as should
the opinions and values of  those who own Craig's only dispensary, the
Craig  Apothecary, and those who believe that marijuana may be  the
best medicine for painful illnesses and conditions.

The Editorial Board only hope that people will be able  to control
themselves as the City Council goes through  its process of approving
an ordinance to govern  dispensaries.

Far too often, our country is thrown into heated,  emotional arguments
that threaten to derail our system  of government.

Abortion. Gay marriage. The death penalty.

These issues affect very few people for the amount of  time that goes
into debating them.

This board hopes that the discussion around medical  marijuana will
not become the same kind of sludge that  could halt meaningful action
on other local issues,  ones we think are more important, and ones
that affect  many more lives.

Methamphetamine addiction is out of control in Moffat  County. It
seems to be on every block of every street  and in every apartment
complex.

Cocaine use seems to be on the rise, and cocaine is a  drug that
actually attracts dangerous levels of  organized crime because of its
dollar value and  surrounding culture.

Alcohol abuse fuels hundreds of violent crimes every  year, from
domestic assaults to child abuse to brutal  street fights.

Public education is in dire need of more support. While  it seems
additional funding is a long way off,  community involvement is free.
We encourage residents  to take hold of their children's education and
help our  community's teachers and school administrators develop  our
youth.

Not every member of this board has children, and we  must concede that
a person's worldview changes  dramatically when they are faced with
that level of  responsibility.

However, we cannot see medical marijuana being as  important to this
community as these other issues,  especially considering the council's
proposed  ordinance, which makes it expensive and difficult to  open a
dispensary within city limits.

We hope, in this case, that reason will win out, and  that the
community will turn to face its darkest  demons, not the ones that are
the easiest fodder. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D